INNOCENT VICTIM ' 

A PLAY 

Dealing ivith Love and Maiviage 
of the 

^^UNFIT" 

BY JESSE ASHMAN 






PRICE 35 CENTS 
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INNOCENT VICTIM 

A PLAY 

Di'dliii,^ iritli Lore a lul M<t i-ri<ige 
(if the 

"UNFIT" 

BY JESSE ASHMAN 



M 



PRICE 35 CENTS 



<^ 






COPYRIGHTED, 1918, BY JESSE ASHMAN 

OF 

BALTIMORE. MARYLAND, U. S A. 



.1/; Rights Reserved 



©CI.D 4987 2 

THE DAILY RECORD COMPANY, BALTIMORE, MD. 

JUN ?9!9I8 



DEDICATED MOST LOVINQl-Y 

TO 

K. U. R. 




JESSE ASHMAN 



PREFACE. 



Imagine the lawyer lighting the case of 
his deaf and dumb client, who is being 
falsely accused of a serious offense ! Jus- 
tice? It is burning in the defender like the 
"hush" which burned, but was not con- 
sumed ! The thought of an "innocent vic- 
tim" not even being able to "complain" that 
.s7/r (it may be a "he") is facing moral and 
physical ruin — that thought ! Reading the 
play — not enough. Witnessing the play 
carries its message into the minds and hearts 
of people everywhere — an emotional lesson 
so thoroughly learned as to have us period- 
ically absorbed in our "memories." So the 
leaven might work spontaneously. 

Yet the problem remains unsolved. "My 
punishment is greater than I can bear." 
Nor is the crisis over. The unfortunate, 
afflicted client has not as yet been exon- 
erated — still waiting to be freed, though 
now somewhat realizing the peril. But we 
must look to the day when knowledge shall 
combine with action for the purpose of 
alleviating human pain and suffering and 
substituting health and happiness. Power 
of speech comes only from power of heart 



and of consequent life ; wisdom of speech 
only from wisdom of understanding. 

Gather then these little counsels : gather 
them with watchfulness. Let them for a 
moment penetrate deep into your heart ; 
then scatter them abroad again, that they 
may go with their good words to the hel]) 
of others — seeking to convey a transient 
l)lessing utilized in streams of living force 

This play deals with a very serious sub- 
ject, and advocates, doubtless, much-needed 
reforms. It touches closely upon the sub- 
ject of the marriage of unfit persons being 
restricted by law, the necessity of such re- 
straint, and the results of the present lax- 
ity. It also dwells, in a novel interesting 
fashion, upon the emotion of i.ove and its 
action and reaction. 

As a cure of these matrimonial miseries, 
the author adds a new commandment: 

THOU SHALT NOT MARRY THE UNFIT. 

J. A. 
Baltimore, 1918. 



INNOCENT VICTIM. 



ACT I. 

Scene — Representing the living-room of 
tlie Jones summer-house, fitted up for a 
graduation party. Singing bright, cheerful 
songs. Popular and catch}^ songs of the day. 
Dancing, etc. 

(Curtain rising, shozcs Miss Emily Jones 
looking through the zvindozv at the setting 
sun, which all gradually fades out of sight. 
She draws a verbal picture of Nature's 
beauty and veiled significance.) 

Emily (prophetically). I am watching 
the detached red spots amid the flaming 
rays of the setting sun, scatt'ring his beams 
about him as he sinks. When darkness of 
false paths is visible, venture to go your 
vvay, that is so guided, that you cannot stray. 

(Enter Alice. Emily's sister.) 
\; At, ICE (pointing in direction of rising 
sun), ^^'hen one door is shut, another 
opens, admitting one to a higher, freer reg- 
ion where the light of the sun is not dim- 
med by cloud and fog, where beauty never 
fades — ''the happy ending." 

Emily (to Alice). In my flower of 
youth, T am about to make my plunge into 



8 INNOCENT VICTIM! ACT I 

life's whirlpool, and so events from now on- 
ward will turn as the wheel of fate re- 
volves. Love is the price of love ! I love 
an.d am beloved of — secrecy ! My beloved 
is mine, and I am his. 

(Enter (/ucsts, cutcytaiuiiuj tJiciuschrcs in 
I'arious a'ay.v. ) 

Emily ( thoiiyhtfuUy). I hear the elev- 
enth hour just striking. It is time for ac- 
tion ! DO IT QUICK ! 

('.// same moment Emily reeeives tele- 
gram , whieh reads thus: Unele Sam, fight- 
ing to make the world safe for democracy, 
looking to "boys" of military age to stand 
acid' test of Government physical e.vamir.a- 
tion. Report to Local Board before day is 
over.) 

Emily {expressing blended sentiments of 
love, sorrozv, and patriotism). The soul 
secured in her existence, smiles at the drawn 
dagger, and defies its point. 

< ) friends, be men, and let your hearts be 

strong. 
And let no warrior in the heat of fight 
l^o what may bring him shame in others' 

eyes; 
For more of those who shrink from shame 

are safe 



ACT I INNOCENT VICTIM 9 

Than fall in battle, while with those who 

flee 
Is neither glory nor reprieve from death. 

Who would not be that youth? What 
pity that we can die but once to save our 
country, world Freedom and Democracy ! 
Our renowned victories of universal war 
and ultimate triumph of righteous cause are 
bound to bring permanent international 
peace. Nation shall not lift up sword 
against nation, neither shall they learn war 
any more. Earth shall rejoice ui light and 
wisdom, and men deal justly by one another. 

(Officers arc seen drilling Privates for 
physical and mental developuicnt — to stand 
up and FIGHT for right.) 

{Exit, Emily and Eugene Carter left 
alone.) 

Emily {nervously). Eugene, do you be- 
lieve in love at first sight? 

Eugene {expecting the inevitable to 
come). Why, I think there's no love but 
love at first sight. On the first view to say, 
\ to swear, "I love thee." Yet we must not 
deny the existence of an ideal, sentimental 
love, based upon mental qualities. The 
ideal love comes in "small" packages of 



10 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT II 

"love tested and purified in the fire of the 
intellect." 

Emilv {blushing) : 

'Tis not quite a week since we've met. 

The moment I shall ne'er forget ; 

My heart is yours, just as yours is mine. 

Yet 'tis time for us to part 

And that is more by far than art. 

(Bnibrace.) 
Curtain. 



ACT II. 

Scene — Room scantily furnished as Lo- 
cal Board's office. Door on right leading to 
examination room ; left, opens on street. 

(Curtain rises discovering Dr. Green, of 
file local board, reading letter.) 

Dear Dr. Green : It is very gratifying to 
make known the fact that the provisions of 
the bill regulating marriage in this State 
were enacted into a law, which does not. 
however, take effect immediately. The Act 
j)rovides, among other things, that the 
Health Department shall have exclusive 
charge of and consult specialists in conduct- 
ing medical examinations of the would-be 
bride and 1:)ridegroom. and, in order to in- 



,\CT II INNOCENT VICTIM 11 

sure enforcement of this Act, shall be given 
a Marriage-Council, who shall only occupy 
themselves with the scientific aspects of the 
work and with propaganda. 

Such legislation is sorely needed for pro- 
tection of our children from hasty, objec- 
tionable, and ruinous marriages. What part 
of humanity at present, when health is the 
soul of society, will despise such new social 
reforms ? Marriages should be entered into 
with sobriety, discretion and due regard for 
the solemnity of the holy state of matri- 
mony. 

Altogether the Act, 1)y virtue of many 
good remedies therein prescribed, should be 
known as a cure of love-melancholy, which 
is so irresistible and violent a passion. Read 
the Statute. 

Believing this to be a promising begin- 
ning on intelligent lines, I am, 

Dr. White, Health Commissioner. 
(B liter No. /.) 

No. 1 (looking at his postal card). Dr. 
Green, I received notice to be and appear 
before my local board for a physical exam- 
ination. I think, though. I can't stand be- 
fore such test. 



12 IN NOCE N T VI CTI M \ CT I T 

Dr. (sympathetically). Young man, what 
seems to be the matter with you? You're 
in poor health, isn't it so? 

No. 1 (looking discouraged). Why, Doc- 
tor, I think it quite serious a case. When- 
ever I cough I notice that my ears whistle. 

Dr. {smilingly). That's a minor ail- 
ment, if anything. I'll give you something 
to stop your cough and then you will not 
even imagine any pain. There is no dou1)t 
but you will make a splendid soldier. 

No. 1. Thank you, Doctor. I'm ver\- 
happy indeed to be able to serve my count r)'. 
(B.vit.) 
(A knock is heard. Enter No. 2.) 

No. 2. Doctor, vou see, I feel consider- 
a1)le pain in the left leg (indicating). 

Dr. (tapping it). How can you consist- 
ently complain of an artificial limb and of a 
missing mem])er hurling y(ni? You can't 
answer that. There is, of course, a scien- 
tific explanation for the ])hen()menon. Sim- 
ple imagination, an entirely internal idea, 
may dominate perce]jtion to such an extent 
that sensations of pain, intense disorders of 
function, even death, may result. At any 
rate, I pronounce xou a cripple and will 
therefore exempt you from line draft. 



.\CT II INNOCENT VrCTI.M 13 

No. 2 (worried). Doctor, is this mat- 
ter confidential? Can't I tell my sweet- 
heart that the reason why I was exempted 
is l^ecause — imagine any good blufif will do. 

Dr. (aiif/rily). Sir, behold the ruin yon 
will have wrought with your deception. 
Your girl may not like cripples. She ought 
to know the truth and then — love ( ? ) . 

No. 2 ( (iisi/itsfrd ) . T surelv' feel the re- 
sponsibility, 1)Ut must kee]i a secret of this 
sort to myself — they're all doing it. 

(Bxit.) 

(Bell riui/s. No. ^-? admit ted. ) 

No. 3 (boldly). Doctor. I don't wish to 
consult you. My visit here is purely on 
Government affairs. T have never been sick 
a day in my life. If you don't draft me, 
I'll enlist anyhow. 

■ Dr. ( lookiiKj plcd.u'd and haficnfly cov- 
sitliiiKj a little book). The rule is that no 
person, however patriotic, shall be admitted 
to Camp without a previous examination, or 
without ])lacing himself undei oath to an- 
swer the physician's questions truthfull}'. 

No. 3 (eozeardly) . I as yet never served 
for perjury. The law, <'>s 1 see it. is too 
mighty to be trified with. To tell the truth, 



14 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT 11 

I am unfortunately afflicted with the ''fall- 
ing sickness." 

Dr. (in thundering tones). Rejected! 

No. 3 {retreating to door). When I was 
stricken before my sweetheart, she hurried 
after all the physicians in town. Before 
the first one had arrived, I fully recovered. 
I made her believe, without an extraordin- 
ary amount of labor on my part, that I ''fell 
for her." Thus she is still ignorant of my 
malady. I concede, however, the proposi- 
tion that falsehoods of this character .-.hould 
not be tolerated. The law, in a proper case, 
must speak and exact the virgin truth, even 
from lovers. But love's a malady without a 
cure. Ha ! ha ! ha ! 

Dr. (springing fonvard and grasping his 
hand). If you really love your girl you will 
not be believed until you conclusively prove 
it by committing suicide on her account. 
Your style of merely "falling for her" isn't 
enough for you. 

No. 3 (nodding). I've already decided 
to do that (Dr. applauds^, but for other 
good reasons. 

(B.vit.) 

(Door opens, and No. 4 rushes boldly in, 
ati.viously followed by his mother,) 



ACl II INNOCENT VICTIM 15 

Aluriii'i^ {to Dr.). Yon rcallx' must ex- 
cuse me, sir, for comint^ in witliont rin|e;-ing, 
but my son 

Dr. I replying quickly). Uh I pshaw! 
What's the use of standing on ceremony. 
This being a pubHc place, there is an im- 
pHed hcense for the pubhc to enter during 
l)usiness hours. 

Mother. Quite right, Doctor. I can 
come in mostly anytime, but just don't kno\\' 
exactly about my getting out. My boy is an 
orphan, and his father had died and left me 
to struggle with him when he was only an 
infant of one year of age. Now, my poor 
child is sick all over. He is a bright, in- 
telligent boy, too. 

Dr. ( taking medicine bottle from Mother 
and smelling contents, and then making re- 
mark permeated with sarcasm). Madam, 
perhaps the casual observer could scarcely 
realize the fact that your son is afflicted with 
so many maladies. But to a skilled physi- 
cian it at once becomes apparent that there 
is something wrong. In spite of that, an 
examination cannot be dispensed with, and 
you should never object to that policy. In 
my opinion camp life may do him good and 
cure him. 



16 IN XOCEN T \1 C'll M ACT II 

Xo. 4 (seeing his mother fainting in Doc- 
otr's arms, who revives her by a stimulant ) . 

For mine (Fearing Jiis poor mother 

zvho understands tJiat her boy is eager to get 
into action against the enemy.) 

Dr. (impatiently). Madam, if you would 
only step aside and let me make a diagnosis 
of your boy's case I could promptly make 
up my mind how to dispose of it. 

Mother (tearfully). Look 1 look' he is 
d}'ing — dying to serve [zvhen she observes 
the boy taking a rifle-aim). Doctor, my boy 
is getting married to the best girl living, and 
there he is preparing to go to the hospital. 
If his girl finds out that he is not as healthy 
as he represented himself to l^e — God knows 
lie didn't tell her the truth — who knows 
what will happen. (Jn anguish.) Well, T 
must reconcile myself to my lot. 

(Mother shielding her boy as Doctor at- 
tempts to take his temperature.) 

Dr. (with decision). Madam, you are 
virtually a pest around here. I order you 
to leave the premises at once. The Govern- 
ment must apply the acid test. It takes no 
chances, so better go! (Pointing furiously 
at the door.) 



\ ( -T 1 n I X N ( )CE N T VI CTT M 1 7 

Mother {tearfully throzving Jier arms 
inniud her boy and kissing him). I am 
leaving you here in good hands. Good-bye, 
my son. 

Curtain. 



ACT IIT. 

Scene — As in Act 1 , except room is plain- 
ly furnished. 

{Curtain rising, exposes Eugene Carter, 
Ira Airing, avd George Lee discussing their 
previous experience at tJie Draft Board's 
office.) 

Eugene. Boys, do you know that Dr. 
Green, of the local board, detected in me the 
presence of consumption of the lungs in the 
incipient stage, which utterly disqualified 
me from military duty. The best I can do 
is to tell Emily that my exemption is due to 
an industrial plea which I had filed previous 
to the physical examination. Emily is a 
sensible girl, and any intimation of my con- 
dition will worry her and give me enough 
trouble to convince her to the contrary. 

Ira. And me he threw out of the draft 
because he thinks my brain is too dull, de- 
fective — a weakling. The Dr. said he was 
very sorry to see a man of my physique 



IX IN NOCE NT VJ CTI M ACT 1 ! I 

turned (hjwn I)\- the Government un accuunl 
of inferior mentality. J had to give him my 
family history and even go as far as intro- 
ducing him to an idiot brother of mine. I 
can't simply understand what it all means^ — 
he is "not right." 

(Alice's photograph attracts hAin.) Oh, 
my darling, where are you — Ah ! ( Throzc- 
incf kisses at her.) My excuse will be "de- 
pendency." 

George. The incident does sound like a 
dream, but in reality the shadow of the vice 
menace is looming blacker upon us daily. 
A very dangerous black spot in the white 
soft mantle of youth that dims the globe. 

IvCt me tell you (but. of course, there's a 
reason ivhy zve slian't tell it to our life part- 
ners) the unvarnished truth. My blood 
was tested and venereal infection found in 
my system, which will unfit me for duty for 
months — a monstrous sin ! Yes, you see, 
boys, won't you stop it ? Dr. Green advised 
that, this being a communicable disease, laws 
slioitld be enacted in ever)- state including 
same in the list of communicable diseases 
which it is the duty of the physician to re- 
port and of the health authorities to isolate 
and quarantine, the same as smallpox and 



ACT Til INNOCENT VICTIM 19 

scarlet fever, etc. The Dr. also remarked 
that the innocent victim will arouse men 
to maintain for themselves the same stan- 
dard of sex morality they require for 
women. Of course, the Dr. is necessarily 
a scientific man, and, perhaps, never was 
himself in love {forbidden). 

Well, let us he human. But aren't you 
fellows in soft — right here in the home of 
your "angels ready made for heaven." I 
wonder where my little "angel" is flying 
about looking for her dearest ! I'll try to 
get her on the wire. (Gaily.) O I remem- 
l)er her saying she would spend the day in 
company with the Jones sisters. I'm ex- 
])ecting them home every moment. Ha, ha, 
iia ! I'll tell my girl that the physician at 
the lr)cal hoard extended me a special invi- 
tation to join the army, but, owing to a 
j)revious "engeigement" with her, could not 
for the present accept his offer, and that I 
thanked him for the compliment. 

Eugene (picking up newspaper and 
noticing headline, zvhicli sliocks him). There 
it is ! Look at it I What are we going to do ! 

Ika (coolly). WHiat's all the excitement 
about ? 

Eugene (nerz'oiisly) . Here! Read it 
vourself. 



20 I N NOCK N T VI CTT M A CT I T I 

Ira (hesitating). Eugene, the pleasure is 
all vours. (Registering a negative awkiuard 
f/estnre.) This stuff they claim is printed 
in fifth-class English — I failed some how in 
the third grade. Now, can that be made 
plainer to you ! 

Eugene (reading aloud tJie startling 
nezvs) : 

TTealtii Marriage Act In Force To- 
morrow jMorntng — Health Commissioner 
White announced that the Health Marriage 
Act takes effect to-morrow morning, and he 
expressed his firm belief in the Adminis- 
trative Department which is an educative 
force back of the law to create public senti- 
ment that will demand clean morals among 
men as a qualification for respectibility and 
marriage. 

Such legislation should be enforced in a 
S])jrit of love of mankind and of elevating, 
purifying, and refining the race, in which 
event it is l)()und immensely to imi)rove the 
individuals of which the race is made up. 

It may be assumed that every conscien- 
tious physician will readily co-operate wnth 
the authorities, since he must be in perfect 
sympathy with this movement. The Act 
further ])r()vi(les that "both parties shall 1)e 



ACT II r 



INNOCENT VICTIM 21 



medically examined l)efore marriage by spe- 
cialists, under the auspices of the health offi- 
cials, who shall restrict the marriage of un- 
fit persons." 

{Eugene is observed raising his hand to 
his temple planning his next move, Ira is 
kneeling before .iliee's portrait zvhispering 
prayers, i^'hile George is rushing to 'phone, 
removing receiver, but too excited to speak. ) 

Eugene (to George). Whom are you 
calling? 

George (feeling his chill fingers closing 
upon his labored breathing). The a — gent 
of the ex — cur — sion l)-o-a — t. (Calms 
dozoi.) I'll beg him to intercept the girls 
and ask them to expect us there in half an 
hour. From that "bright corner" there will 
l)e easy sailing. 

Eugene. No ' You're still too excited. 
Adjust the receiver. Your attempt may not 
finally 1)e crowned with success, for acting 
on the outside at this late hour will put us 
in h'dd with the police, who might pick us up 
as suspicious characters. Then the report- 
ers will get hold of the story and print it, 
too. I have in mind an idea that will work 
like magic. (Turning to Ira.) Stop pray- 
ing, the boat is rocking. Oet to work ! If 



22 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT III 

the torpedo only explodes, as it likely will, 
we're going to perish (not to Paris) I 

Ira (rising, briskly — frightened). Yes, 
my troubles really started when Mother was 
"rocking my cradle." When the Dr. said 
my ''brains is dusty" he meant that I am 
incapable of foreseeing and powerless to 
prevent the threatening danger of the tor- 
pedo, which frequently "elopes" and thus 
proves harmless. I can only feel the actual 
explosion and "go down." I'd rather not 
I>c horn to cope wnth the com|)lex pro]>lems 
and struggles of civilization, than existing 
and not having a proper place — a safe place 
in the world — to live in. Why am I a 
"back number?" 

Eugene (to George). We'll not elope, 
that is, abandon the premises "where we 
are" and go "somewhere." We'll stick right 
here. Call up the nearest Minister of the 
(lOspel to perform a triangular ceremony. 
Oo ahead ! 

Geokce (low, Jiigher, still higher key). 
Central, connect me with Madison 1600. 
llurrv. liurry! Father Shaw, kindly order 
a taxicab to take you down to 25 Cotn-tland 
street. The fine for speeding is hereb}' 
( fherehy ) guaranteed. '^Ilicrc's a fat jo1) on 
hand. Good-bye. 



ACT III INNOCENT VICTIM 23 

Eugene {anticipating possible detection). 
Tlie surprised ladies might ask' this ques- 
tion, ''What is the occasion for 'midnight 
])erformances' and why in haste?" The an- 
swer is that we were all ordered to leave for 
France at a little after midnight, and the 
safest thing is to marry while we are still 
alive {in love). 

Ira {believing Eugene's scheme to be a 
fact). Eugene is right, we haven't much 
time to spare if we slip away to-night for 
France. 

{Bell rings. Enter the Jones sisters and 
Miss Fanny Marks, George's lady-love, emo- 
tionally displaying genuine love for their 
friends. The floodgates of feeling are loos- 
ened, and the full tide of mutual affection 
gushes forth uncontrolled, as though there 
ivcre romance in the air of mystery.) 

Eugene {getting at his lady's ear and 
^' popping the question"). Emily, to all in- 
tents and purposes there unexpectedly ar- 
rived the long-looked- for opportunity to en- 
ter into the ''silken bands of matrimony." 
A man is never well settled in the saddle of 
his fortune until he be married. He wants 
si)ring, purpose and. aim; and, above all, he 
wants a home as the centre of his efforts. 



24 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT III 

The reason why I am po])ping the question 
at this time is because I am in the draft and 
must leave for France in the next few 
hours. Do you consent, darhng-? 

Emitv (he?- eyes instantly sparkling zvith 
delight). Yes, if you are able and willing 
to defend your country. 

George {to Fanny). The same is true 
of me. Fanny, love, do you, too, consent? 

Fanny (instantly). Yes, under all con- 
ditions present. 

Ira (to Aliee). Vm brave enough for 
any emergency! (Turning to Eugene, point- 
in gly.) Spare your saucy little words — 
looks to me as we were wasting the Gov- 
ernment's valuable time. Why don't you 
better tell the truth — Father Shaw is due 
here any moment, and before we know it we 
shall be married and in an army aeroplane 
be off for France. And although I had 
been rejected, I'll still make the men in 
khaki take me back ! 

Alice. How do you mean — mean re- 
jected? 

Eugene (motioning Ira to s/iut up). He 
of course means by the Life Insurance Com- 
pany on account of the war. 



ACT III INNOCENT VrCTIM 25 

Ira {perplexed). Oh, dear no I {His 
Toiee is droiviied h\ tlie sound of th.e doov- 
bell.) 

{ Emily opens door and admits Patiier 
Slnvzc.) 

Ik A. Good news is awaiting- you in the 
house, l^^ather. 

I'atiier. ( )h, I liad experienced tlie 
])ains and, in an unexpected way, the pleas- 
ures of l^eing in a taxi accident. 

Ira. Yes, you seem to 1)e glad 1)ecause 
you have our guarantee to pay your fine for 
speeding, eh? 

r".\TiiER. ( )h, no! Nothing like that — 
no arrests were made. I simply landed in 
the University Hospital, where I had met a 
well-known physician through whose devo- 
tion to mankind I had learned the nature of 
my ])resent task which I am here called upon 
to perform at this psychological moment 
when the momentous decision will reach us 
upon the question of public policy. 

Ira. Father, I'll not argue with you in 
the face of what was just said by the wit- 
ness, but you have unconsciously strayed 
from the main issue involved in this case. 
Coming back to the accident, state whether 
or not you received permanent injuries to 



26 INNOCENT VICTIM. ACT III 

your head, body and limbs as a result of this 
accident — if you did, to what extent? 

Father. No. Shock is the only injury 
I have sustained. 

Ira. Isn't it a fact that the shock com- 
plained of was caused by the x-ray? 

Father. The shock is directly due to 
your clever cross-examination. 

Ira. Father, I'm tickled to hear you 
praise my cross-questioning. But they all 
say I am exceedingly brilliant, although Dr. 
Green once expressed himself to the effect 
that I did not possess a clear intellect, and 
that such trait runs through my familv. 
Ha ! ha ! 

Father. Now I am doubly shocked ! 
How can I witness with my mental eye such 
specimen of humanity venturing upon the 
sacred, yet none the less vital, sea of matri- 
mony ! You apparently possess only a 
thimbleful of brains without good measure. 

Eugene (reflecting). Well, are you ready 
to begin the ceremony, Father? 

'Father (abruptly). No! No! I think 
that I had reached the opinion that by de- 
scribing to you my accident you will learn a 
very profitable lesson in life — it carries a 



.\t:TIII INNOCliNT VICTIM A/ 

message of inspiration, like tliat of the artist 
in the presence of his model. I will begin 
now, and when I finish the matter will l)e 
left with you for your determination, right 
or w^rong — su])ject always to the '"law of 
the land." 

My taxical), when whirled at breakneck 
s])eed through dense traffic and around 
sliarp turns on slippery streets, suddenly 
swerved or skidded to the left, whereby it 
inevitably came in contact wdth a Ford run- 
about going in the opposite direction rather 
slowly, not exceeding the thirty-five-mile 
limit, and with terrific force split the hit- 
ter's motor into two unequal parts. \\'hile 
one ])art thereof kept on spinning 'round the 
globe, incidently "doing its bit" in the in- 
dustrial world, the other flew like an air- 
ship. I, like a very modest, unassuming 
kind of hero aviator, calmly steered its 
course toward "heavenly abodes." 

Suddenly, I felt the machine isn't func- 
tioning perfectly. The next moment I saw 
the engine isn't running, and then I w^as up 
in the air for fair — lost consciousness. The 
Ford aeroplane readjusted itself automati- 
cally and was finally brought down by the 
law pf gravitation, which took its cotirse. 
But by the "benefit of shock" I came to my 



28 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT III 

senses and then immediately resumed my 
earthly duties and did mind earthly things. 

Is not this something more than fantasy ? 
\Miile the imagination brings us with it in 
paradise of love, the material world is con- 
stantly engaged in scientific analysis of sin 
and disharmonies of nature. W^e have thus 
a little bit of ])leasure at the expense of 
great sulTering. \\> take the liberty, Jnit 
have no "bond of security." \Miat are we 
going to do about it ? 

(Bell rings. Bmily goes to the dour and 
admits Dr. Jf^Jiite and liis nurse. ) 

Ira {goes to nurse). Do you really 
think this house looks like a hospital — an- 
other smashup ! Who's that patient ? ( Point- 
ing at the Doctor.) Was he also shocked 
and did he see "stars" and fly in a half- 
Ford runabout, too? 

Nurse (duty-like). Young man, I am 
not here advertising Ford's or any other ma- 
chine. That man is Dr. \Miite, the Health 
Commissioner, and I am one of his nurses— 
I.eah Jacol:)S is my name. 

Ira. Wdl, then, I'll also introduce mx- 
self as 

Leah (interrupts him). Never mind 
vour introduction. T know all of vou. Your 



ACT III INNOCKXT N'lCTIM 29 

local board records arc now on our tiles — 
\(»nr identity isn't in dispute, either. 

Ira. Isn't true tliat your ^•ision is de- 
fective ? 

Leah. Why? 

Ira (/;/ undertone). Because Jacob 
io\ed Racliel and not Leali. 

Leah. You've got your "dates mixed." 
i was sent here to cure you — you're my ])a- 
tients. No marriasre for sometime to come, 
if at all. 

Ir.\ { feeling liis pulse). WxW the medi- 
cine taste sweet or bitter ? 

Lp:ah. It's a kind of bitter "pill" to take, 
but a safe cure. 

Dr. {looking up). The first duly of the 
Doctor is to demand absolute frankness. It 
is to your own interest to be frank, for no 
marriage founded on deceit can be happy. 

Emily {has not the least suspicion at 
present). Father, in the name of frank- 
ness, I demand that you exercise your pro- 
fessional duty. Do hastily perform the 
wedding ceremony — I insist on that. We're 
losing precious time. 

Dr. Pardon my intervention. The Book 
of Nature is not agreed with itself on fol- 



30 INNOCENT VfCTIM ACT III 

lowing this course. Since Man lias long 
abused and corrupted Nature, she now just- 
ly retaliates by forbidding certain marriage. 
Purify her laws, and you are free from dan- 
ger under her protective wing. 

Alice (the butterfly). Why do the love- 
ly birds eat out of our hands and fly awa\- 
to the land of the "free," where there is lib- 
erty? 

Emity (in a lozv voice — understanding ) . 
The l)irds play with and are fed by our 
children, both being innocent and pure, but 
when the songsters flutter at our windows 
and imprudently fly into the cage, and when 
the children become of age, the so-called 
liberty turns over another page and tells a 
different story. After all, liberty is a rela- 
tive term, depending on the age in which we 
live and liozv we live. 

Ira. All this talk is an idle consumption 
of time. There will be "something doing" 
when we hear of the boys who have fallen 
"over there." Nobody could visualize the 
war in Europe without actually seeing it. 

Eugene. Well, the idea of going to 
France is abandoned. We're not that for- 
tunate. But the time had come to talk mar- 
riage, and get married. A postponement 



AC'I' ITT INNOCENT VICTrM 31 

might mean — indefinitely — we'll soon be 
"within the law." (Hoping against hope.) 
The question in my mind is. What power on 
earth can stop us? Couldn't love find its 
way through ])aths where wolves would fear 
to prey? 

Father. Strong arc the instincts with 
wliich God has guarded the sacredness of 
marriage. But hasty marriage never proveth 
well. 

Dr. (eloquently) . There won't be a 
hasty marriage any more. The law has 
wisely thrown its safeguards around mar- 
riage in a way hitherto unknown to civiliza- 
tion. Every man is a worse man in pro- 
])ortion as he is unfit for the marriage state. 

The Government was left free to reach 
actions which were in violation of social 
duties, or subversive of good order. We 
will proceed to examine the question l^efore 
us "in the light of general authority and 
sound reason." A new conception of 
urr.TiTS and duties has dawned upon men. 

If it be true, on one hand, that the heart 
of man naturally delights in liberty, and 
hates everything to which it is confined, it is 
also true, on the other, that the heart of man 
naturallv submits to necessitv, and soon loses 



J-Z INNOCENT VlCTl-M ACT IV 

ati inclination, when there appears an abso- 
ktte impossibiliy of gratifying it. This be- 
ing true, NECESvSiTY itself demands that the 
"horrors" tried for centuries by "tainted" 
humanity on pure, innocent l^lood shall not 
be repeated or longer experienced — ttik 

HALT OF DECENKRACV I 

( Ira (jro-ivs pale and Alicr JuiinKk liin: a 
(/lass of ivatcr. ivhicli he can't fake off flic 
tray ivithoiit excrt'uuj his will-poivcr to the 
utmost. Fanny falls into Leah's arms, 
'7cliilc George remains sitiing dejectedly on 
the piano stool. Emily is visibly moved by 
the Doctor s appeal, as she reaches Eugene's 
hand appreciably sober-minded.) 

Father (with an air of satisfaction ) . 
The ceremony is indefinitely postponed ! 

(Ira. shivering, drops glass from h.and.) 
Curtain. 

ACT IV. 

Scene — Placed close to the ,\dam farm- 
house somewhere "over there" far away 
from civilization amidst the Devil and his 
works. 

(Curtain rises disco-vering Innocence sit- 
ting or. a bench melodiously singing to Cre- 



ACT IV INNOCENT VICTIM 33 

ation amid bezvilderment of tree trunks and 
underbrush, opposite the tree of life, and 
the Devil, with suitcase in hand, passing her 
rapidly — he returns and is seated himself 
beside Innocence.) 

Innocence (getting up quickly). The 
nerve of you! Who're you, anyway? 

Devie (charms her). My name is Mr. 
Devil. But what brought a bewitching lit- 
tle darling like you in this most fashionable 
residential section of the world? 

Innocence (as if uiiconcerned'). To me 
it's merely a wilderness. I'll swear I'm lost 
here. 

Devil (unlocks suitcase and takes out a 
bottle of wine). Won't you have a little 
wine to quench your thirst? 

Innocence. No! 

DeviIv (gets her hand zvith the result that 
the stronger will prevails). Have a drink 
anyhow — you'll feel refreshed. 

Innocence (accepts, pauses and, regain- 
ing her balance after reflecting for a brief 
moment, opens her eyes, conquers the pas- 
sions, summons her will-power and, being 
now in full possession of her faculties, re- 
turns the "gift'' to Devil, in an air of satis- 



34 TNNOCKNT VICTIM ACT IV I 

faction of being quite able to fake care of ; 
herself, though rather not to be tempted — | 
az'oid such company). It's no pity that i 
^^ice has recently received an almost fatal I 
blow — a moral victory ! ' 

Devil (staggers and looks like they fin- ■ 
ished him up, but rapidly changes his e.r- \ 
pression). Not knowing what you're talk- j 
ing about, T can still see that your name is | 
Innocence. I love you. (He kisses her] 
hand: she pulls it away sharply.) \ 

Innocence (feeling her face is growing \ 
burning hot). I, too, loved you the first 
moment I saw you — the first glance was suf- 
ficient. But now — your camouflage kiss and , 
its complications are not at all amusing.' 
(A very long silence.) i 

Devil (placing politely his arm around 
her). May I take you through the Garden 
of Eden, beauty? 

Innocence (determinedly). No, not 
even a peep will I take within the Golden 
Gate and around its enchanting grounds, or 
whatever its mysteries — — | 

Devil (shrewdly). Ah! is pleasure not 
yours? Are you that kind — am I not sur 
prised? Now think it over, but don't think 
too much. Let's go- — — 



ACT IV INNCJCExMT VICri\[ 35 

Innocencp: {iudigumitly, though nen'- 
oiisly). Why, Miss Emily Jones finally re- 
gretted the little bit of paradise she prema- 
turely saw. For mine, I'll consult reason 
before it has drowned, buried and lost itself 
in FASCINATION — deep in love is deep in 
water. 

.Vn angel may stoop to see. 
And bless me for my purity. 

Devil (curiously). What, if anything, 
had happened to Miss Tones? 

Innocence. Why, Emily is a friend of 
mine. She fell in love with a fine young 
man — at first sight. 

Devil (carelessly). Suppose she did, 
what of it? 

Innocence (instructively). Well, here's 
where they all blunder. Let me give you 
my view of love, in the light of recent dis- 
coveries and common sense which we now 
'know how to exercise and develop. (For 
huithority see the Health Marriage Act and 
'consult the Health Officials — that you can't 
escape, and you shouldn't.) 

Devil. Yes, certainly, your view is 
"based upon public sentiment as I under- 
'stand it, and I'm afraid some of the devilish 
works will be condemned — well, never mind 



36 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT IV 

I'll see that love is precisely what it used 
to be — no changes and no reforms are de- 
sirable and things don't suit me as they are. 
(To himself.) Am Devil enough to con- 
trol and repeal such legislation and such 
fancy laws spread so early in Man's career 
upon the Statute Books — it lies all in my 
hands. Don't you know, it's been worrying 
me a good deal — I'm the first one to be af- 
fected by your Social Reforms I I should 
make a personal sacrifice and l:)enefit human- 
ity thereby — I can't see it that way. (To 
Innocence, cuireatingly.) But love to know 
what's going on, and don't keep me in sus- 
pense — I'll faint. 

Innocence. But why shouldn't you tell 
the truth— you have a weak heart, for that 
matter, any disease — it'll be tested at some 
place at some time as one of the prerequi- 
sites of marriage. 

Devil. You're making it worse for me — 
proceed, won't you ? 

Innocence. Well, if you like I will go 
into it this moment — of course, it is to your 
advantage to know it all — but nothing will | 
help you — you're lost. 

Devil. If you ever professed to have a 
spark of love for me — but you're some 
teaser. 



ACT IV INNOCENT VICTIM 37 

Innocence. I've got a message to de- 
liver to the world and I shall get right down 
to business, to come straight to the point, so 
listen — (Devil placing hand to ear.) 

Innocence. Love usually proceeds 
through two stages, the first being one of 
mere mutual attraction and interest. It is 
in this stage that the will and reason are 
operative, and here alone that any consider- 
able elevation of standard may be effective. 
But love once established defies rational 
consideration — the second and last stage. 
The beauty of it is that in the first stage it 
is under the control of many influences, in- 
cluding influences of reason. 

Devii,. Is that what you call love? 

Innocence. These are the ordinary psy- 
chological facts. 

Devil. Can you give an illustration ? 

Innocence. I'll use the Devil as one. 

Devil. Help yourself- — now keep to the 
point. 

(Suddenly, the distant echo of strange 
voices fall from "someivhere" crying, 
''Devil! Devil! The Royal Family is threat- 
ened!" As he spiritually disappears from 
sight, the lights go out and the faint roar of 
a lion rings out of the jungle.) 



38 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT IV 

Innocence {trembling and fearing the 
beast as its roar grows louder, she runs 
about panic-stricken, ending zmth prayer). 
O living God, shut the Hon's mouth, and he 
will not hurt me ; forasmuch as before Him 
innocence is found in me ; O God, and also 
before Thee, I have done no hurt. 

Devil (enters and grabs Innocence by the 
ami). Quick, let's run to Paradise! This 
is a dangerous place for a little girl like 
you ! 

Innocence. But God answered my 
prayer and said there shall be light and 
there will be light. (The lights are turned 
on.) Ah! this was a mean little trick of 
yours, you Devil. Your point was to get 
me in a mood to blindly follow you in love. 
(Triumphantly.) But this 

Devie. Does your new philosophy an- 
swer every question pertaining to love? As- 
suming it does, what is, or should be, the 
rule when one falls in love with a fascinat- 
ing beautiful young widow? 

Innocence. Yes. Say, you've hit the 
nail on the head — Dupe ! you are deceived 
already. I might add that the imagination 
liere has been so active that a period of pos- 
session and indulgence dispels the charm. 



ACT IV INNOCENT VICTIM 39 

Each, then, begins to think that an error has 
been committed ; and each suspects the other 
of regretting it. But before this unpleasant 
discovery passion wraps the judgment, con- 
ceals the most evident faults, colors every- 
thing in celestial purple, renders the lovers 
blind, and veils the true character of each 
from the other. 

Devil. Here's where you've got me. I 
realize that the emotion of love is still very 
little studied, and it is still wrapped in com- 
plete darkness. 

Innocence. Yes, a great deal of ignor- 
ance still prevails in regard to this impor- 
tant emotion. 

Devil. That is what I am exactly get- 
ting at — IGNORANCE is responsible. 

Innocence. No wonder — no other phy- 
siological phenomenon has been approached 
with such hesitancy as the study of love in 
man. For illustration — now don't get 
smart again, Devil, and don't leave me here 
all alone in the dark — I'll surely get you in 
trouble for that ! Follow me. Devil, (point- 
big to the Scenery). Do you see our do- 
mestic animal charming the little bird 'f 
Their eyes meet — there's magnetic attrac- 
tion, the bird is intoxicated, perhaps both 



40 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT IV 

are, but pussy's action is prompted by sin- 
ister motives — to feast her eye and stomach 
with her willing prey. Now. were there the 
slightest distraction the bird would be freed 
from this sort of intoxication, and the hyp- 
notizer left to enjoy a "meatless holiday." 
Thus you first catch your love-bird with a 
little feed, then inoculate her with a Devil 
Thought — then love plays its own independ- 
ent role: sounds easy, doesn't it? But, oh, 
my. 

Again, time and place being the essence 
of preventing love, don't go too quick and 
too far, then she may not have the astonish- 
ing good luck to capti\ate this young fel- 
law, at a ball, it seems ; use auto-suggestion 
to counteract the efifect of the charms of 
beauty, beautiful voice, the touch of her 
soft little hand, of some graceful gestures, 
etc. Look before you leap and ask no sym- 
pathy to be shown you — unless the ''game 
is worth the candle." In this connection it 
is to be remembered that even within the 
limits of mental health some persons are 
noted for the strength of the will, and 
others for its feebleness. 

Affirmative essentials of true love are : 
Man and woman led by sexual attraction, 
mature consideration and harmonv of char- 



.\CT 1\' INNOCENT VICTIM 41 

acter coupled with a heai^tii certificate, 
without which marriage is a failure — a 
bankrupt. Long before the parties allow 
themselves to fall in love there must be an 
understanding as to physical fitness, and the 
required proof adduced. They must first 
be convinced that they may reasonably hope 
to form a durable and happy union, then 
only may they abandon themselves to amor- 
ous intoxication (deep love), but not before. 
This idea will in due course of time in- 
stinctively and unconsciously influence the 
impulses of men and women, the consequent 
result being that standards of morality will 
be elevated and the health of the individual 
respected, nay, even loved. 

Devii. (rubbing his hands as if some- 
thing zvorries him). Why, Innocence, 
would you really believe that I'm a bit ser- 
ious in this regard and will soon investigate 
tlie whole affair and — (Dez'il mysteriously 
disappears.) 

(A strange man flezv breathlessly in like a 
veritable zvhirlwind, his eyes sparkling zvitJi 
''illusions of all the senses/' crying excited- 
ly as he climbs the trees and searches for a 
place of concealment.) 

Innocence (runs up to the stranger). 
Weren't you chased after by that big lion ! 



-12 I N N UCl' N T \'l C'Jl M ACT I\^ 

I'm just the riglit one to sympathize with 
you — was in the same predicament and 
know what it is. 

(Man and girl rush in.) 

Man {to Innocence). May I search the 
house — the entire premises? 

Innocence. You are mistaken — -I'm not 
the proprietor. 

Man. Well, I have a right to go the 
limit. 

( ./ snccessful search is instituted and the 
stranger overpoivered, ivhen Devil sudden- 
ly appears, as usual.) 

Devie {to Man). How do you do, Dr. 
Johnson — what's that ! who're these people ? 

Dr. They are inmates of my Institution 
—parent and child. His name is Ira Alv- 
ing, his daughter's name is Blanche — both 
are mental defectives. 

Devil. Since I have heard so much 
about a Health Certificate and like philo- 
sophy, I'd appreciate the history of this ap- 
parently interesting case, at least, and espe- 
cially when there is a tragedy enacted on 
my own soil — where I have some say. 

Dr. The father evaded the law by leav- 
ing the jurisdiction, the Statute having no 



ACT TV INNOCENT VICTIM 43 

extraterritorial force. It means that no law 
is l^inding, ex proprio vigore, beyond the 
limits of the sovereignty from which it is 
derived. In cases of this kind, with some 
rare exceptions, the courts of one state will 
refuse to extend the principle of comity to 
another, and such comity is not, and hardly 
can be, generally recognized. The only way 
out of it is to have a uniform law passed 
regulating marriage, as proposed herein. 

Devil. What of it if they did elope and 
were married elsewhere? 

Dr. (sharply). Herein lies the error 
Under our law, which every person is pre- 
sumed to know, which is based upon reason 
and humanity, such marriage is forbidden, 
unless certain provisions of the Act which 
deal with this class of cases are complied 
with before marriage is undertaken. 

Devil. Well, since the question is so 
striking, practically affecting both alike the 
classes and the masses, I'd like to find out 
the result of this forbidden marriage and 
how there was issue born as a result of said 
wedlock. 

Dr. (zvith deep feeling). Because a sim- 
ilar law is not enacted in the sister states, it 
frreatlv hinders in this State the enforcement 



44 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT IV 

of the reformatory civil legislation and the 
rational administration measures. In the in- 
stant casej the psychiatrist, who is the com- 
petent expert in these matters, to insure 
social safety, directed that this man be 
asked to renounce propagation by the 
method of sterilization, which will prevent 
him from being the founder of a family 
tending to resemble himself. But he re- 
fused to submit voluntarily to this mild 
operation, then, as a means of prevention, 
he ordered the segregation of the defective 
in my asylum, from which he temporarily 
escaped. This girl was born before wo 
could prevent it. 

Devil. fUit what does the pul)lic gen- 
erally know about feeble-minded humanity? 

Dk. \Xq\\. a few striking facts concern- 
ing their life on this planet will not be out of 
1)lace here. The l^alance can be imagined — 
I advise personal study and observation to 
clear up the situation in one's mind. 

Devil. But do not please hesitate to 
state the facts as they really exist. Sup- 
l)ressing evidence, or even coloring it, will 
not enlighten us. 

Dr. (does hesitarr aw/iilc). Well, I will 
tell vou this much, and no more. If vou 



ACT IV INNOCENT VICTIIM 45 

will visit my institution you can learn more 
and more how these feeble-minded creatures 
behave — how they retard civilization. What 
I want the public to know, at least, is this : 

The Binet tests were applied to 300 girls 
who have just begun prostitution. One hun- 
dred and fifty-four were feeble-minded and 
eleven were insane. One hundred and 
thirty-five were put in the "doubtful class," 
as they proved to be of distinctly inferior 
intelligence, only a few of them ever having 
read a newspaper or a book, or had any real 
knowledge of current events, or could con- 
verse intelligently upon any but the most 
trivial subjects. Precocious sex interests 
and practices are well-known symptoms of 
feeble-mindedness. Many of the feeble 
creatures show a tendency to disease, pau- 
l)erism, criminality, or else to early death. 

I can recall a case of a feeble-minded 
man, 25 years of age, starting 45 fires with- 
in three months. The loss was estimated 
at a quarter of a million dollars. I know of 
hundreds of cases involving criminality, but 
to mention an additional celebrated case 
will sufiice. A feeble-minded boy set fire 
to his grandfather's house, later he burned 
a house belonging to the father of the dis- 
trict attorney. He served terms in prison. 



4C) INNOCENT VICTIM ACT IV 

and later became religious and paroled on 
condition that he go to another State. He 
came to New York and set fire to a barn. 
He is now in Sing Sing. Had he been 
cared for in an institution at the proper 
time, all this damage would not have been 
done, or even attempted. 

Heredity is the chief cause of causes of 
mental alienation, and a normal child is 
never born of two feeble-minded parents. 
It is to be borne in mind always that alco- 
holism and syphilis are contributing their 
full share to the upkeep of this evil. The 
means that have been suggested for combat- 
ing bad heredity are legal restriction of 
marriage, surgical sterilization, and segre- 
gation. 

(Exit, Dci'U and Dr. remaining.^ 

Devii,. Doctor, your story is hardly he- 
lievable. Do you mean to say that Ira's 
(laughter is not quite as good as Innocence — 
I can handle her as I please ? 

Dr. Precisely. She i.i just a fit candi- 
date for vou, if I onh- let her get on the 
"ticket." ^ 

Devii.. But I'd like to demonstrate it. 

Dr. What ! You doubt my word — that 
minds differ — that heredity plays such an 
important part in life ! 



ACT JV INNOCENT VICTIM 47 

Devil. But I'll promise you that I shall 
not deliberately hurt her. I'll just try her 
(Hit as I did Innocence, but didn't succeed. 

Ou. Well, I will do as you say — just to 
convince you beyond a shadow of a doubt 
that I am absolutely correct. Remember, 
you will account to me for any damai^e I 
Don't forget she ain't Job, either. No un- 
fair advantage. 

(B-vif Doctor, enter girl.) 

(Here the Devil takes his own part as is 
/peculiar to his "oivn" profession of mislead- 
iiui girls of this description, the girl re- 
sponding and demonstrating her inclination 
to ''go zvrong." He finally persuades her to 
follozv him to Paradise. The reader's imag- 
ination zvill be materialized zvhen seeing the 
Devil in action and the girl proving by her 
conduct the damage done to society by giv- 
ing such type of girls "full liberty.'') 

(Exit Devil and girl, enter Doctor.) 

Dr. (inspecting the premises). Perhaps 
I shouldn't have permitted the Devil to have 
his own way. I wonder whether he will 
keep his promise. Many girls fall into the 
hands of the "devil" daily. But I'm impa- 
tient. "There's a reason" why 



•h8 innocent victim act IV 

{Enter Devil and Girl.) 
Devil. Doctor, as a result of my experi- 
ence and observation, you'll have this from 
the lips of old-time Devil, whom they have 
for many centuries loathed and despised. 
She played the game v^ith me and let me 
beat her oh, so easily ! till I felt myself^ 
again a man — a man of "No Man's Land — '"^1 
Tn these circumstances, I feel obliged to ad- 
mit that every word you uttered here is the 
exact truth. Mustn't I do that? I am not 
meaning to throw any bouquets at you. 

But, looking to the root of the matter, I 
really think the Devil is in the wrong place 
— his right place is in the homes of those 
who believe they are, or will be, in "heaven." 
Morbid heredity and the vices of our blood 
are the "devils" which dwell, to their shame, 
in our homes, and are the worst kind. 
That's it. Morbid heredity and vice. They 
kill quicker than the "enemy." Yes, don't 
they? Well, I'll adopt a new domicile- — 
will quit this Garden of Eden business. I 
will travel in the private homes and see 
"home-devils" doing their destructive work. 
The moral of all this is that that little affair 
of Blanche's is costing me my job. 

Yet, in extenuation of what is evil, I 
must admit this one thing: The impulsive 



.\C r \' I.NNOCHN r \ICTJM K) 

cause of these miseries in Man, this priva- 
tion of destruction of God's image, the 
cause of death and disease, of all temporal 
and eternal punishments, was the sin of our 
first parent Adam, in eating of the forbid- 
den fruit, by the Devil's instigation and 
allurement. 

( Doctor motioning girl to leave. She 
runs up to him as he stretches his arms. ) 

Curtain. 



ACT V. 

Scene — Representing Fanny's bedroom 
and Emily's temporary office, separated by 
partitions. 

{We lift the curtain to look at poor inno- 
cent Fanny as she lies in bed as a patient, 
and at Emily, now a nurse, taking her tem- 
perature.) 

Emily. Fanny, dear, I see your temper- 
ature is steadily climbing down to normal. 
I hope in the next day or so I shall be able 
to resume my regular duties at the Board of 
Health, in the Marriage Department. We 
have already accomplished wonders since 
the law dealing with the marriage of unfit 
persons has been in force, which came just 



dU innocent victim act V 

a little too late to save my dearest I'riend— 
yourself- — innocent victim of the old world. 
(Kissing her.) When Father Shaw post- 
poned our marriage, you and George swiftly 
on the wings of love were carried, at mid 
night, through the startled skies, right down 
to the door of some other priest, who, 
through the discord of the late hour and the 
answering tread of hurrying feet, — there 
was tumult in the air and you saw hope in 
chaos, — the priest forgot the Law was to 
assert itself against you but in a few min- 
utes and bar the way to marriage, and catch 
you as you pass. He then and there tied 
the marriage knot — the fateful hour ! 

(Bell rings. Bmily adnuts an attractive 
young lady.) 

Lady. Fd like to know results in case 
No. 605. 

Emii^y (connecting with Marriage De- 
partment). Let me have 605. (She writes 
out report and hands it to applicant.) 

Lady (reading report). "Lady is O. K., 
but man has Tuberculosis, marriage post- 
poned for one year — prognosis is bad." 
(She weeps.) What do you mean— my in- 
vitations are out. 

Emii.y. Rut you're some foolish girl. 
In olden times vou'd hear them trv to do 



ACT V INNOCENT VICTIM 51 

such stunts over and over again. They 
didn't know they were playing with fire. 
Besides, it all does not rest entirely with 
you. 

L \nV. As much as T love him I'd still 
take a chance on my life! 

H^^L^^ Yes, I really think you mean. it. 
You're in that frame of mind. But the 
ol:)servance of a command carries its reward 
and the transgression of a prohibition its 
punishment — the law is supreme. And 
cause and efifect always go together and a 
transgression of natural law is followed by 
its appropriate reaction. 

L ADV. But I am madly in love with him 
— can't forget him. (Meditatively.) What 
is the nature of the disease, anyhow? Ts it 
so serious? 

EMTL^^ AA'ell. it only destroys and con- 
sumes lung tissue, if it occurs in the lungs. 
The bacilli themselves secrete poisons, which 
are depressing to the heart, which cause 
fever and a general weakening of the heart ; 
the nutrition and strength are exhausted in 
forming useless structures. 

Ladv. How does it affect other people, 
and what if we marrv now? 



52 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT V 

Emily. Now you talk like a very sen- 
sible girl and I will therefore answer your 
questions to convince you how serious the 
matter is — you'll feel that I need your sym- 
pathy and co-operation as much as you need 
mine. Listen to me, darling, I will enlight- 
en you on the subject. Marriage exercises 
a sinister influence on tuberculosis ; for the 
female especially, it should be definitely dis- 
couraged : "Maid, no marriage ; wife, no 
children ; mother, no nursing." Matrimon- 
ial contagion is v/ell attested and extremely 
common. Hereditary predisposition to tu- 
berculosis f susceptibility to receive it and 
permit it to germinate) is extremely f re- 
fluent — the children suffer. Again, the 
virus of the dread disease is contained in 
the sputum, which when dry is widely dis- 
seminated in the form of dust, and consti- 
tutes the great medium for the transmission 
of the disease. Special danger is believed 
to exist when the contact is very intimate, 
as ]:)etween man and wife. It is quite true 
that normal blood possesses a certain 
amount of substances which are inimical to 
the life of our bacterial foes. But suppose 
a person gets run down ; every one knows 
lie is then liable to "catch anything." Tn- 
tem])erance of every kind lowers the bodily 



ACT V INNOCENT VICTIM 53 

resistance and makes a ready opening- for 
the disease to get a foothold. 

Lady. You might be right as far as you 
went. But can you further explain how the 
law is fighting my battle when I'm not even 
facing the enemy- -nothing that I can see 
that will hurt me, is it the "Silent Menace?" 

Emily. Yes, you've practically answer- 
ed yourself. Let us not forget that this is 
not the thunder of the cannon — it's a silent, 
treacherous war. We cannot remain pas- 
sive because the enemy invades our land 
subtly and silently, but we must mobilize 
our resources and our energies so that we 
may attack this formidable adversary that is 
invisible to the naked eye save under the 
microscope slide — the infinitely tiny mon- 
ster, the tubercular germ. 

Lady. Very well, then. It's all true. 
Still you wouldn't apply it to yourself — 
you'd say let nature take its course, or what 
has science to do with love, isn't it true? 

Emily. Darling, you will feel much bet- 
ter wdien you hear that I was once in your 
"shoes." I felt then as you feel now — 
maybe a little worse. 

Lady. And how did you behave your- 
self — "act foolish" and gave in, or 



54 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT V 

Emilv. I parted with him forever — ap- 
plied the law of "conquering love" which 
afifords a permanent cure. 

Lady. Love-cure I Oh-h-h, love-cure ! 

Emily. If it wasn't true — well, I'd 
never be where I am — talking with you or 
anybody else — would he where all the great 
people are, in 

Lady. What did really happen to you, 
l)y the way? 

Emily. Just this : One night the priest 
was at my home when I was nearly married 
to my ''first-love." But I was made aware 
of the law restricting such marriage and of 
my lover's condition — the same case is now 
confronting you — when I had suddenly re- 
membered and finally acted against the vis- 
sions of the "setting sun" and rather chose 
to act in harmony with my prophecy "not to 
enter false paths," when I accordingly re- 
frained from saying "yes" when law and 
prudence demanded "no !" I could have 
practically evaded the law as did my unfor- 
tunate sister — Alice — her belief being in 
"happy endings." A serious proposition 
she never would take seriously. She is now 
struggling to earn her own living, while her 
husband, Ira, and Blanclie, her onlv child. 



AC !• V 1 .\ N(k:j:nt \j cji m 55 

are confined in a feeble-minded institution — 
she's almost losing her mind, too. It makes 
me cry when I think of it all. (IViping her 
eyes. ) 

Lady. When the priest refused to marry 
you, was it good on your nerves? 

Emii,v. But you mustn't let your nerves 
\valk away with you. I too had to struggle 
with myself for a while, then took up the 
study of the psychology of "Conquering 
Love." After I had mastered my subject, 
I was in a position to appreciate the good 
noble work of the social workers. You 
could do the same — follow my example. 

Lady. Is there really such a thing as get- 
ting rid of the emotion of love? If that's 
possible, I'd like to get from you a few 
pointers. 

Emily. Well, I shall give you now a few 
ideas in regard to the new art, and the re- 
maining points you'll get at the principal 
office — hope to get back there next week. 
Love isn't permanent — time and separation 
and other interests must wear it off — other- 
wise it would certainly kill many, and, as a 
matter of fact, I haven't had a dead one 
since I have been in this business. The 
imagination would not be quite as vivid in 



56 INNOCENT VICTIAr ACT V 

loving if you could not see him. Slowly, 
very slowly, you'll forget him — positively. 
Again, auto-suggestion will help to cure it. 
The idea of yawning makes one yawn ; the 
idea of loving makes one love still more ; the 
idea of dismissing the beloved person from 
one's life makes the latter feel— perhaps 
like hating. Fasting is recommended by a 
high authority — love grows cool without 
bread and wine. Above all, remember that 
there is such a thing as love at second sight 
— loving a second or a third man equally as 
good, especially when the first lover is for- 
gotten, as there are many "attractions." 

Lady. Thanks. I'll see you again next 
week — will carefully study my first lesson 
in the meantime. 

(J-.vit.) 

{Nurse hastens to attend to patient, when 
door-hell rings. She goes hack and admits 
the Minister's daughter.) 

Daughter. Have we ]:)oth passed the 
physical test — the medical examination? 
Think I've lost my number {searcJiing for 
it). 

Emily. Your case. Daughter, I certain- 
ly have at my fingers' ends. Can recall it 
offhand. 



.\CT V INNOCENT VICTIM 57 

Daughter. Will I be granted a license 
to marry Frank? 

Emily. Your Frank's case is not onh' 
dark, but painted with thick darkness it- 
self — it's awful ! 

Daughter. It must be terrible — you can 
never get me to believe that this man (a 
handsome youth of tzveiity-five, very correct 
111 manner) is not of sound body and mind. 
But aren't you jesting? 

Emily. You will soon find out that these 
are no jesting matters. Frank, this one, 
that one, or another one, will no longer be 
permitted to ruin a pure innocent Minister's 
daughter, or any man's daughter. Mar- 
riage to-day is not a blind, uninspected, sec- 
ondhand article of merchandise — a book 
which the purchaser knows not the contents 
of until it is bought and found to be printed 
in a foreign language — ridiculous ? To-day 
the "survival of the fittest" means that 
"natural selection'" alone will not serve as 
the best means of weeding out the feeble 
and the weak in mind and body. It was our 
solemn duty to adopt certain measures that 
will assist Nature, in which book the laws 
of life and of government are to be read. 
■'Nature is universal hygiene." I'm sorry 
Frank isn't "fit." 



58 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT V 

Daughter. But is it right for me to go 
into detail — to understand the case from 
every angle? 

Emily. Yes. The social disease must 
be spoken in the open and not with bated 
breath, and must be spoken to the woman 
no less than to the man. These dreadful 
diseases embrace among their victims a vast 
number of virtuous wives and innocent chil- 
dren. The number of virtuous wives suf- 
fering from venereal diseases is much larger 
than the entire number of prostitutes in our 
country. The wife and unborn child are 
surely innocent in every sense of the word. 
The innocent child at birth undergoes a bap- 
tism of germs which attack the conjuncitva 
of the eyes and set up a severe purulent in- 
flammation, which is one of the chief causes 
of total blindness in children. Daughter, 
are you prepared to accept all these risks 
light-heartedly, in the dark, in a heedless 
dream from which you somehow hope there 
will be no awful awakening? 

Daughter. What disease are you speci- 
fically referring to? 

EmiIvV. I am distinctly referring to all 
the diseases ^'hich are more or less respon- 
sible for many innocent znctims, hut I am 
certainly placing special emphasis on the so- 



.\C"'J^ \' INNOCENT VICTIAI 59 

called PLEASURE or joke disease — gon- 
orrhea. 

Daughter (dcetrmined to knozv it all). 
Seeing is conquering. 

Emity {anxiously). Then follow me. 
[She foUoivs her to Fanny's room.) 

Emh.^' (to Fanny). Tell all your daugh- 
ters the nature of your operation. Only 
full knowledge can adequately assist them. 

Fanny {sits up, bursts into tears, rub- 
hiiKj her eyes and plaeing hand upon her 
own heart, ivJiich heats and grieves for 
other hearts — hozv far will the cancer 
spread?). Come, come, my dear, we must 
talk seriously. Civiijzation itself is caught 
dreaming the long, long dream of dreams : 
tears, and tortures, and the touch of joy — 
but this time to leave a weight upon our 
waking thoughts. (Trying to restrain her 
sobs.) 

Daughter (assuming responsibility). 

Vm I representing, and will I have to report 

hack to civilization? If so, I must feel 

that the dark picture is not overdrawn — 

that relief must come quick. 

Fann^' (extending her hand to Daugh- 
ter, hopefully). My dear child, it is evi- 
dent that the object of your visit here is to 



60 INNOCENT VrCTI^I ACT V 

test the INNOCENT VICTIM — the play you 
read, re-read and normally digested. I sin- 
cerely hope that your present investigation 
will soon open a new era of married happi- 
ness, of attaining the highest culture and re- 
finement which civilization can yield — an 
era of legislation in the elevation of the 
race, aided by religion, by science, and by 
public opinion. {Indicating a sudden vio- 
lent pain i)! the ahdomiiiaJ region. ) Why. 
Daughter, wasn't the mist of ignorance in 
reality removed in time to have sa\ed me 
from innocently contracting such a dread- 
ful disease — think from whom ! my own 
husband ? Yes ! But he alone is not to be 
condemned. He, like the rest of them, also 
was traveling in the dark after his deceptive 
joys. To-day a decent husband should not 
even attempt to commit suicide — well, let 
him live better to repent his folly and ignor- 
ance from his very soul. (Taking a drink 
of zvater.) 

Daughter (not yet fully realising the 
seriousness of the operation). Has the 
operating knife left an indelible impression 
on you? 

Fanny (zvith sighs). It has made an in- 
cision, and even more than that. The in- 
flammation necessitated a surgical operation 



ACT V INNOCENT VICTIM 61 

which mutilated my reproductive organs, 
despoiling me of my womanly qualities, de- 
priving me of the possibilities of mother- 
hood—woman's most sacred coronation — 
and almost lost my life too in the bargain. 

{Protesting.) Why do thousands of in- 
nocent wives share my fate! Why don't 
they know that to-day the disease is re- 
garded by the medical profession as one of 
the most serious and most to be dreaded of 
any of the diseases to which human flesh is 
heir ! Doesn't in fact the poison remain in 
the system for years to do its deadly work 
both to the sorrowing husband himself and 
to his innocent bride whom he ignorantly, 
or even deliberately, infects ! Why should 
such men be permitted, with impunity, to 
make a prey of pure women! Is there any 
denial of these criminal charges? Answer 
me! {A pause.) Why, then, should not 
her whole nature revolt against the wed- 
lock with a man whose body is a sink of 
corruption ! Won't it be she who will have 
to suffer most ! Is it not upon the woman 
that the burden of shame and suffering, of 
disease and death, is chiefly laid ! We, 
therefore, ask for protection ! Sleeping 
Lion, can't you h^ aroused ! ( I'akcs a rest 
and breathes an atmosphere of contentment 



C)2 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT V 

— believing that her penetrating words Jiave 
found lodgment in the human heart.) 

Daughter {presently falling under the 
power of this conviction ) . Lady, you have 
taught me the hardest of all lessons in the 
world, i. e., thinking. I do now realize the 
danger to which I, as well as others, would 
have subjected myself had I failed thus to 
investigate. Now 1 see things. I'm satis- 
fied we are all clamoring your piteous 
prayer incessantly : to regenerate society. 
My dear woman, I certainly wish you a 
speedy recovery. 

Fanny (becomes free from all fear of 
the blind, elemental forces — a free spirit. 
The bonds of individuality being momentar- 
ily broken, she feels herself in harmony, in 
union, in deep sympathy with imhappiness 
and misfortune) . Recovery f It is a relic 
of the past. Happiness? Darkness is upon 
the face of the deep. Humanity? There's 
a body without a form, and void. There 
will be light, when? 

{As the girl is about to step out of the 
room, enter George, Fanny's husband, hand- 
ing a bottle of medicine to Emily, zvho mi.ves 
the drugs. As lie remarks, pointingly, 
"Who is the child standing there?" and as 
the name ''child" reaches the patient's ear 



ACT V INNOCENT VICTIM 63 

(///(' tJwiight that thousands of "Rachels 
are still weeping for their children" ). zvhat 
f(}llo7i's, indeed, is only the natural cause- 
(juence of the 'world's e:'i! and the tragic 
side of life.) 

Fanny (just seen calm and reasonable, 
becomes excited little by little, her eyes shin- 
ing brightly, her countenance assuming an 
expression impossible to describe, and very 
soon her words, her ideas, her gestures — in 
short, her whole appearance and all her ac- 
tions — become nearly approaching those of 
a maniac in a violent paroxysm). Give ear, 
ye midnight prayers for the unfortunate 
wives, and ye petitions at their graves, and 
T will speak : and let the world hear the 
words of my mouth. 

With unimpaired vividness of that night, 
which was covered with thick darkness, I 
see visions of a great beast with two faces, 
diverse one from another — one laughs, the 
other cries. The thing which I did not fear 
came upon me, that which I was not afraid 
of has overtaken me. T was at ease, T was 
also quiet, and had rest. But trouble came, 
r allowed myself to drift with the tide, and 
entrusted myself to the fury of the waters. 
I had to suffer from cold, hunger and ex- 
posure. Oh, Mother, is not undimming 



64 INNOCENT VICTIM ACT V 

truth better than illusion ? Are angels sing- 
ing? Oh! fool that I was. There's a cer- 
tain buzz of a stolen marriage. I have gone 
in — never to return. I was going after him 
straightway as an ox goes to his slaughter 
and knows not that it is for his life. 

Where is the conscientious physician, the 
judge, the lawyer, the clergyman, the edu- 
cator, or other person who must come to 
the eleventh-hour rescue — to protect the un- 
offending wives and innocent children from 
results which have wrecked many thousands 
of lives and multitudes of homes ! Where 
are they? 

George (zmth perplexity, anguisli, and re- 
morse). I am the home-devil! I offer on 
the spot the general plea of ''guilty." 

(The girl is seen standing in her place 
zmth tears streaming dozvn her face as 
though paralysed, zvhile Bmily is observed 
forcing open Fanny's mouth with an instru- 
ment, to administer the drug to the exhaust- 
ed form of an innocent victim.) 

-FINIS.— 



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